Washing apparatus



DeC. 23, 1941. I F. GOHL 2,267,351

WASHING APPARATUS I ,Filed March 10, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l A Fig.1.

Dec. 23, 1941. F. GOHL I WASHING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 10, 1959 Fig.5.

Pic -4.

Dec. 23, 1941. Fem-1L 7 261 35 WASHING APPARATUS Filed March 10, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 .0: 65 6 ,Q/ 57 II N mm \6/' Patented Dec. 23, 1941 wAsnmc APPARATUS Franz Giihl, Vienna, Germany, assignor to Paul Zerner, London, England Application March 10, 1939, Serial No. 261,114

In Great Britain March 14, 1938 v Claims.

" od'comprises the maintenance of a circulatory motion of clothesin a trough containing water or a washing solution, the motion being such that the clothes travel along a substantially triangular path around a substantially horizontal axis. To impart and maintain this circulatory motion to theclothes, water jets are provided, directed downwardly from the upper part of the trough, and the nozzles are so directed that the path of the clothes within the trough is cut more than once. By this means the clothes are struck several times in their passage around the trough, thus being caused to alter .both their direction of movement. and their positions relative to the direction of movement. A

The shape of the water jets in accordance with the invention preferably is that of an elongated rectangle or oval, i. e. ribbon-shaped, and means are provided whereby small quantities of air may be drawn into the water jets to promote penetration of the washing solution and of the clothes by very small air bubbles. The air rising through the washing solution and passing through the clothes takes with it particles of loosened dirt and grease, admixed with consumed soap, and consequently there is formed on the surface of the solution a discoloured foam containing a large proportion of dirt and other undesirable matter. In the method according to the invention this foam is continuously removed, thus increasing the capacity of the washing soluti on for further absorption of dirt from the clothes.

' Other features of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings showing how the same may be carried into practice, in which Figure 1 is a sectional view showingthe general arrangement of the improved washing machine, V

Figure 2 is a section of a device hereinafter referred to whereby a washing agent may be fed into the machine,

Figure 3 is a section on the line C--D, Figure 1, 1

Figures 4 and 5 are detail views partly in section of nozzles whereby water and air are delivered into the machine,

Figure 6 is a detail view in section to an enlarged scale showing means for controlling automatically the admission of water into the machine, and

Figure '7 is a detail view of means for separating and collecting foreign matter from the washing solution.

As shown in the drawings, Figures 1 and 3, the trough or container for the clothes is formed with two substantially vertical and parallel end walls I, provided with inspection windows I1, and two side walls 2 and 3 converging downwardly, the wall 2 having a curved portion adjacent the lower end thereof which merges into'the bottom wall plates l8 are provided in the lower part of the end walls I, such apertures serving to accom- I modate the ends of pipes connecting the trough with the pump 21. Curved plates 4, 4a are provided adjacent the bottom of the container in spaced, overlapping relation and provides independent curved surfaces slightly above, and substantially coextensive with, the bottom of the container. The plate 4a, which is adjacent to theside wall ,3, being hingedly connected at I 9 with the bottom of the container. This plate 4a has an upward extension provided with a number of fins l which are inclined inwardly and downwardly. Mechanism 20 is provided whereby the plate 4a may be swung inwardly towards the side wall 2, in which is provided a door 2| through which washed clothes are removed. The plates:

gradually increase in thickness in a direction away from the wall 3 and terminate in relatively thick edges 5. downwardly away from the centre of the washing space towards the end walls I. The effect of these plates is to cause the water jets to strike the linen more often and in a more efficient manner, as the sloping surfaces 5 afiect the lengths 7 extension of the step 4a form a broken surface which is constantly in contact with the clothes during their circulation, thus increasing the washing effect by a slight rubbing.

When the plate 4a is pivoted on its hinges l9 to move towards the side wall 2, the washing space is reduced, enabling washed clothes within such space to be squeezed slightly before and after the rinsing process, and also facilitating the unloading of the machine. The washing space of the machine is connected to the pump by suc- Also the plates 4 and 4a slope tion pipes 22 and also to a collector I4 for foreign matter.

The collector of foreign matter,- as shown in Figure 7, comprises an elbow pipe 23 having a vertical branch pipe 24 terminating in a discharge valve 25. An upwardly projecting wall 26 is provided within the elbow 23, such wall 26 being slightly inclined into the stream of liquid passing through the elbow, in order to separate from the liquid any foreign matter which may be contained therein and which is heavier than the liquid, the foreign matter being removed from time to time from the pipe 24, e. g. when the machine is emptied. The stream of liquid passing towards the pump is diverted through a right angle by the elbow 23, with the result that foreign bodies which are relatively heavy cannot follow this change of direction, and settle down within the pipe 24.

The discharge side of the pump 21 is connected by pipes 28 through pipes 29 to a preheating unit l in which are provided heating pipes 30. Washing liquid passes through the preheater I5 to the nozzles 8 in the trough through regulating valves 3| and pipes 32. Each water nozzle 8 has combined therewith in a single unit an air nozzle 9, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Each water nozzle 8 having preferably an elongated or ribbonshaped orifice projects downwardly toward an air nozzle 9 and is enclosed in a casing l3. Air is introduced into the casing l3 by pipes 34 entering from the main air pipes 35 which are provided with regulating valves I 0 at their open ends. The casing I 3 is situated within the washing space, but is separate partially therefrom by baffles 6 having perforations therein. A release valve II is provided in the bottom 01' the casing l3 operated by mechanism 36, 31 to allow air to escape from the casing 13 when desired.

A dirt collecting device I2 is provided adjacent the nozzle casin l3 and pipes 45 connected thereto are provided through which the collecting device may be emptied through a gate 38.

When a washing operation is taking place the liouid level of the washing solution is above the nozzles 8 in the casing l3 and a partial vacuum is produced in the space 33 within the casing l3 by the rapid passage through the nozzles 9 of the ribbon-shaped jets of water leaving the nozzles '8, the valves I 0 and H being shut. The valve II is opened ermitting water to enter the casing l 3.

through the nozzles 9. drawn therein by the partial vacuum within the space 33. The valve I 0 is opened slightly to enable air to enter and thereby reduce the quantity of water flowing towards the nozzles. The quantity of air admitted may be controlled by throttling the valve l I. By

, the arrangement of the nozzles 8 and 9 and the valves l0 and l I, air mixed with the water jets is broken up into a fine spray.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a de tergent feeding apparatus l6 comprising a cylindrical container 39 connected at the lower end thereof by a pipe 40 to the suction side of the pump 21 through a non-return valve 4|. The container 39 has a funnel-shaped plate 46 provided therein having a central aperture through which may pass a jet of water from a nozzle 44 arranged concentrically within the pipe 40 and connected through pipe 42 and valve 43 to the pressure side of the pump. Secured upon the end of the nozzle 44 are funnel-shaped bafiies 4B, intended to receive for recycling within the container 39 undissolved particles of a detergent matrial which is contained in the funnel-shaped hopper 46. A lid 49 is provided to seal the container 39 and in order to be able to remove air from the container before working, the lid 49 having been shut, a pipe 50 is provided leading to the exterior of the container and closable by a valve 6|.

In operation the lid 49 is shut and valves 5| and 43 are opened. The detergent material contained in the hopper 46 is encountered by the jet of water from the nozzle 44 and is kept in motion thereby: until it is taken completely into solution therewith. As the water in the container rises, the air initially present in the container passes out through; pipe 50 and valve 5|; when water commences .to be discharged through the valve 5| it is clear that all the air has been removed from the container 39, and valve 5| is then shut. The absorption into the water of the cleansing agent slightly reduces its volume, creating a reduction of pressure in the container which causes water to flow downwardly through holes 52 in the baflle 48 and through the narrow annular space 53 between the sides of the hopper 46 and the walls of the container 39, and to pass into pipe 40 through the valve 4! to the suction side of the pump 21. When sufflcient detergent solution has been pumped into the washing space the valve 43 is closed, the valve 5| is opened and the lid 49 can be removed to refill the container with detergent material as required.

There is shown in Figure 6 a. device whereby the level of the water in the trough may be maintained constant throughout the washing operation. This device comprises a cylindrical tube 54, closed at the lower end thereof and containing a cylindrical float member 55 connected by a cable passing over a pulley 56 to a counterweight 51. The counterweight 5'!- has guide rollers 59 on either side thereof and is connected by a pin and slot connection 59 to a lever 60 pivoted at GI and connected by suitable links engaged in one of a number of holes 62 at the end thereof remote from the pin and slot connection 59 to the valve 63 controlling the fresh water inlet. The tube 54 is connected to the suction chamber of the machine by a conduit 65 having a valve 64 therein. A second tubular vessel 66 is provided adjacent the tube 54 to serve as a water-level indicator. The vessel 66 is connected by a conduit 61 to pipe 65 and has a float 68 arranged therein connected by means of a cable passing over a pulley 69 to a counterweight Hi.

As the machine is filled with water, water flows through conduit 65' and valve 64 into the float chamber 53. As the level rises, float 55 is lifted, and the counterweight 5? depresses the lever 60 thus gradually closing valve 63. At the same time the float. 68 is raised and a pointer on a dial is rotated by means of a gear connection to the pulley 69 to indicate the level of the liquid within the machine. When the machine is emptied, after the rinsing operation, valve 64 is closed before the water level in the chamber 54 has receded, so that the fioat 55 and its counterweight 51 will remain in the positions in which the valve 63 is maintained closed. When the valve 64 is opened water escapes therethrough from the tube 54 and the valve 63 is opened by the consequent movement of float 55 and counterweight 51 to admit water again into the machine. The level of liquid in the machine, whether rising or falling is always indicated by the movement of the float 68 in the chamber 66, since this chamber is in 2,2e7,ss1'- I 3 open communication with the washing space\g \clothes, now in the lower part of the washing through pipes 81 and 88. space. are slightly squeezed or pressed by swing- In accordance with the invention the floats 88 iting the member 40 upon its pivots ii. The

and 88 are formed from solid rod material and\ washing space is then again fllled with clean waare not hollow bodies such as has been previously 6 ter in order to rinse the washed clothes, and

employed, thus avoiding breakdown of the float system which is liable to occur when hollow floats aredamaged and allow liquid to enter the interior thereof.

In carrying out a washing operation, soiled linen is introduced into the washing space through a door II, the door is closed and water admitted into the machine by opening valve 84. Water rises uniformly in all parts of the machine, valves 8| (Figures 1 and 3) being open to allow escape of air. As soon as the predetermined liquid level has been attained the fresh water valve 68 is automatically closed, as previously explained. Pump 21 is now brought into operation to impelwater through nozzles 8 and 8 into the washing space, where the floating clothes are caused to circulate by the water jets and are movedinitially in a downward direction, rubbing gently against the fins 1, Figure 1. when the articles of clothing being washed pass over the edges 50f the plates 4 and la they again come within the path of the jets of the water from the nozzles 8 to change their relative positions and are moved upwardly in an oblique direction until they are again circulated to their initial position.

By reason of the inclined arrangement of the plates 4 and 4a, a continual transverse displacement of the clothes is caused. As the air regulating valve i0 is now maintained closed, valves I I are opened to allow discharge of water through the nozzles 8.

After addition of soap to the cold water now within the washing space by means of the detergent feeding apparatus l6, valve 12 is opened to admit steam into the preheater IE to warm jets. The air thus drawn into the washing liquid causes the formation of a layer of foam upon the upper surface of the liquid, this foam containing a relatively large proportion of the particles of dirt which have been loosened and removed from the clothes during their passage around the V-shaped trough. This foam, which also contains particles of soap, is carried by the movement of the liquid through apertures in the casing I3 and baiiies 8 into the dirt collector l2, from which it is discharged through conduit 45 and valve 38. Regulation of the valve .43 of the feed device 16 enables a substantially constant content of detergent material to be maintained within the washing liquid, which is of great importance for efficient washing. After the liquid has been substantially cleansed by the expulsion through the dirt collector I! of the major part of the consumed soap and dirt carried by the foam, the air inlet valve i0 is closed and heating of the liquid'is continued gradually in order to free albuminous material and other impurities from the texture of the fabric and prevent coagulation of such material. During the cleansing operation the operator can inspect the movement of the clothes and the amount of dirt in suspension in the liquid through the windows i1.

When the washing operation is completed, the pump is stopped, valve 64 of the float device is closed and the liquid is emptied from the washing space by opening valve 25. The washed during the circulation of the clothes in the rinsing process, air is admitted 'to the water jets in quantities larger than were employed in the washing operation, in order to ensure complete removal of consumed soap from the fabrics and from the liquid. After rinsing the machine is emptied through the door 2!, this operation being accelerated, if desired, by again swinging the member la towards the wall 2.

During the washing operation the path followed by the washing liquid is as follows: From the washing space through the'perforated plates i8 into the suction pipe 22 past the collector device l 4 to the pump 21, and thence through pressure pipe 28, conduits 28, the preheater I 8, through valve 3! into pipes 82 to the nozzles I and 8, from which it is discharged again into the washing space.

The path of travel of the clothes is defined as substantially triangular since the clothes travel in three principal directions. From the upper part of the container, adjacent the nozzles 8, the direction is downwardly to the plate 4a, thence in a primarily horizontal direction beyond the plate 4, and thence in a substantially oblique direction to the starting point adjacent the nozzles 8.

I claim:

1, A washing machine comprising a trough for the clothes and the washing liquid, said trough having a bottom wall, two verticalend walls and two inclined side walls, means for causing thewashing liquid and the clothes therein to circu-' late within the trough around a substantially path, and a curved plate adjacent the bottom wall for contact with the clothes along the bot-' tom of said path, said plate gradually increasing in thickness in the direction of travel of the clothes therealong and having its upper surface sloping downwardly from the centre line of said path toward the vertical end walls.

2. A washing machine comprising a trough for the clothes and the washing liquid, said trough having a bottom wall' and two inclined side walls, means for causing a circulation of the clothes within the liquid around a substantially horizontal axis along a substantially triangular path, and a plurality of curved plates adjacent the bottom wall of the trough and providing independent curved surfaces at different levels for contact with the clothes along the bottom of said path.

'3. A washing machine comprising a trough for the clothes and the washing liquid, said trough having a bottom wall, two vertical end walls and two inclined side walls, means for causing a circulation of the clothes within the liquid around a substantially horizontal axis along a substana substantially horizontal axis along a substantially triangular path, and a pair of plates adjacent the bottom wall of the trough and providing independent surfaces for contact with the clothes along the bottom or said path. said plates being disposed in spaced overlapping relation.

5. A washing machine comprising a trough tor the clothes and the washing liquid, said trough having a bottom wall, two vertical end walls and two inclined side walls, means for causing a circulation of the clothes in the liquid around a substantially horizontal axis along a substantially triangular path, and a pair of curved plates ad jacent the bottom wall of the trough and providing independent curved surfaces for contact with the clothes along the bottom of said path, said plates gradually increasing in thickness in the direction of travel of the clothes and being disposed in spaced overlapping relation.

\ FRANZ (36ml. 

